Protective Effect of Ethanol Extract of Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) Seed on Pregabaline Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Cucurbita pepo (C. pepo) seed on pregabalin-induced hepatorenal toxicity in male Wistar rats. A total of 30 experimental male rats were randomly grouped into 6 of 5 rats each for daily treatment via oral gavage for 60 days as follows: Group A (normal control) = 0.5ml 5% tween 80 (vehicle); B (negative control) = 75mg/kg pregabalin, group C= 500mg/kg of aqueous ethanol extract of C. pepo seed; D = 1000mg/kg of aqueous ethanol extract of C. pepo seed, group E = Co-treatment of 75 mg/kg of Pregabalin and 500mg/kg of C. pepo seed and group F = co-treatment of 75mg/kg of Pregabalin and 1000mg/kg of C. pepo seed. At the end of treatment, animals were anaesthetised and blood sera were used to analyse biochemical parameters like alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin (ALB), bilirubin, urea (Ur), creatinine (Cr), and blood electrolytes. Histopathological examination was carried out on liver and kidney sections. There was a significant decrease in ALT levels of test group E relative to both controls and a significant decrease in Conjugated Bilirubin (CB) and Total (TB) levels relative to negative control group B. There was a significant (P<0.01) increase in serum levels of Total Protein (TP), albumin and CB of the treatment group F relative to normal control. The serum concentration levels of Ur and Cr of test groups C, D and E significantly decreased when compared with the negative control. Sodium and potassium levels of group E-treated rats significantly decreased relative to the negative control, while bicarbonate levels decreased in test group D relative to the negative control. None of the treated rats showed abnormal hepatic and renal histomorphology, whereas the negative control group exhibited distorted hepatic and renal architecture. In conclusion, C. pepo seed extract may have a dose-dependent hepato-renal protective effect against pregabalin-induced liver and kidney toxicity. Further studies are recommended to fully demonstrate underlying mechanisms and optimize dosing for potential therapeutic applications.